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Find low car rental prices in Iowa City with Road Genius. Compare live rates for SUVs, compact cars, minivans and make reservations with no reservation fees. Pick up downtown near the University of Iowa or at Eastern Iowa Airport, browse real time deals from Enterprise, Hertz and other major brands and enjoy free cancellation on most cars. Book in minutes and hit I-80 toward Cedar Rapids, the Amana Colonies or wherever your Iowa road trip leads.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Iowa City | • Convenient for university visitors • No airport fees • Walking distance from hotels |
• Limited hours compared to airports • Smaller vehicle selection • May require advance reservation |
| Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) | • Larger vehicle selection • More rental companies • Later hours |
• 30-minute drive from Iowa City • Airport fees and surcharges • Transportation needed to reach Iowa City |
Enterprise Pick-Up Service: Some rental companies like Enterprise offer free pick-up service in town if arranged in advance, which can be convenient if you're staying at a hotel or residence.
On average, car rentals in Iowa City cost around $79 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $35 per day.
Skip the airport markup by picking up downtown; you avoid CID's extra fees and some companies will even collect you for free if you're at a hotel or campus dorm.
Dodge Hawkeye surge pricing: rates jump during football games, move-in, graduation and homecoming. Shifting your pickup a day or two outside those windows can cut the total by 20-30%.
Test weekly vs daily rates: in Iowa City a "weekly" quote often beats 4-5 separate days, so run both options on the comparison screen even for short trips.
Book the smallest car that fits your crew: economy/compact models are cheaper and fit better in tight campus ramps where parking is $1/hr.
Finding a Spot:
Local Driving Rules:
Book a rental so you can see:
Cedar Rapids – 30 miles (48 km)
Amana Colonies – 25 miles (40 km)
Field of Dreams site (Dyersville) – 75 miles (121 km)
Kalona Amish community – 20 miles (32 km)
Where are the rental car locations in Iowa City?
You'll find only a few rental companies that have offices right in the city. Enterprise has a downtown spot near the university. Budget and Avis have branches in nearby Coralville. Other brands like Hertz, Alamo and National work mostly out of Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids. They don't have offices in downtown Iowa City but might offer a pick-up or delivery service.
Is it better to rent at Eastern Iowa Airport or in Iowa City?
If you fly in, renting at the airport is easy, but they add extra fees. If you're already in Iowa City, you can rent locally to avoid those fees, but the rental places might have fewer cars and not be open as late.
Can I park overnight on Iowa City streets?
The city doesn't allow overnight parking in some areas. This is especially true in winter when crews need to clear snow. You should check street signs carefully or use a parking ramp if you need to park overnight.
How does university traffic affect driving in Iowa City?
You should expect more traffic and fewer parking spots when classes are changing. This happens for about 20 minutes around the top of the hour, from 10 minutes before to 10 minutes after. It gets busiest near the main campus.
Do I need a special pass to park on campus?
Yes, you need a permit to park in most campus spots. If you're a visitor, you should use the marked visitor lots or public ramps. The university opens some campus lots for public use on evenings and weekends.
What's the best car type for visiting Iowa City?
Most people find a compact or economy car works well because it's easier to park downtown and near campus. But if you visit in winter and there's snow in the forecast, you might want a car with all-wheel drive.
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